HCMC pushes open innovation towards commercial gains

Ho Chi Minh City is seeking to turn research and technology partnerships into measurable gains for businesses as it builds a next-generation industrial ecosystem.

Open Innovation Day 2026 opened the Autumn Economic Forum series in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) on October 26, bringing together regulators, researchers, investors, and businesses to address a central challenge: turning technology connections into practical gains for production as the city expands its industrial footprint.

HCMC is promoting open innovation as a bridge between research and the needs of production and business. Data on technologies, market orders, and partnerships presented at the event point to early momentum. The harder task is converting those links into measurable competitive advantages for enterprises.

Matching tech with market demand

The event, organized by Open Innovation Hub (SoiHub), with research institutions, regulatory agencies, and technology enterprises, serves as the opening program for the 2026 Autumn Economic Forum.

Truong Minh Huy Vu, Vice-Chairman of the HCMC People's Committee, said innovation must be closely aligned with economic, industrial, and urban development. The municipality is home to more than 40 incubators, innovation centers, among other tech facilities, he noted. Yet, their number alone is not a measure of effectiveness, particularly when research struggles to reach factories and businesses must still search independently for suitable solutions.

Bui Thanh Hang, Director of SoiHub, said the hub has facilitated the development and matching of 50 domestic and international technologies, handled 15 market orders, and established 20 strategic partnerships. The figures suggest that connection efforts are producing initial results. For businesses, however, agreements are only a starting point. They need technologies that can operate at viable cost, a clear route to return on investment, and workers capable of adopting and running new systems.

Next-generation industry needs ecosystem, not only land

Following integration efforts with former provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, HCMC has greater room to reorganize its industrial landscape. City chiefs see Bac Tan Uyen and Chau Duc as potential locations for large-scale industrial zones integrated with energy infrastructure. Priority areas include A.I. data centers, green energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and the low-attitude economy. Each requires specialized infrastructure, skilled laborer, and collaboration between industries.

Thus, HCMC Vice-Chairman Truong Minh Huy Vu said that next-generation industry requires more than land and infrastructure. It needs an ecosystem linking between universities, institutes, businesses and inventors; without it, industrial zones may remain dependent on low- and imported technology despite advantages on roads, power and land.

Turning innovation into business value

A.I. data centers, computing, data security, green energy and drones offer clear opportunities for technology, manufacturing, and service providers, as discussed on the event.

SMEs need affordable solutions because testing, security, training, and maintenance often exceed their resources. Connection programs must set clear requirements, costs, timelines, performance standards, intellectual property rights, and responsiblities. Companies also need the skills and pilot capacity to turn promising technologies into practical applications.

Commercialization is the decisive test

SoiHub starts with practical challenges faced by businesses and local communities, then brings together experts, scientists, and technology partners to develop tailored solutions. The approach puts market first rather than asking companies to pursue technologies whose commercial value has yet to be proven.

HCMC has advantages in market scale, human capital, and business networks. Those strengths create value only when connections lead to marketable products, more efficient production, and verifiable revenue.

Following the announcements of 50 new technologies, 15 market orders, and 20 new partnerships from SoiHub, the next phase should be judged by implementation: how much productivity improves, and how many Vietnamese enterprises master their tech they adapt. These outcomes will determine whether HCMC's industrial ecosystem is maturing.

Business & Integration - Vietnamese version: TP. Hồ Chí Minh tháo điểm nghẽn đổi mới sáng tạo mở; reported by Chau Anh